Rejoice With Exceeding Joy!

Great joy overwhelms your body when you finally achieve THAT goal
(and by “that” goal, I mean your ultimate goal in life)! Isn’t it the case with everyone? You fight all your life to try to accomplish something, so that you can prove that you haven’t wasted those few decades on this journey. Once you accomplish that something,
you rejoice with exceeding joy! ‘Tis the story of you and me! However, true living begins afterwards! What next? Now that you have seen it all, done it all, worked day and night to get there! What should you do? What will your next move be? Many more questions lie in the shadows of the nights.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.9 When they had
heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. (Matthew 4:7-12)

When you read through these few verses you start to understand the cruelty and evilness of Herod, the emperor, and how he wanted to kill the newborn child. Just as Herod wanted to kill the newborn, so does life kill every glimpse of hope and joy found. Many, or rather all of us have been through tough situations, whether
it be divorce, cancer or even the loss of a dear one etc… Some give birth to hope, but life strikes back and takes that smile and buries it. On the other hand, some are like the wise men whose hope was on that guiding star above the stable! Such people do not depend on their own intuition but rather on what God has given them! God sent us hope, refuge, deliverance from evil, and everlasting joy, all through this newborn King! True Joy is found in Christ and not in earthly matters. Of course, you may be blessed with many things, but those things will only draw a timed smile and fire. You might rejoice with joy but it will not be equal to the joy the newborn baby brought to this world!

The wise men gave the King the best that one could ever give, but they knew that Jesus has more to offer! They gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh because this baby gave them hope! They rejoiced with exceeding joy when they saw the star, and without a second thought they gave the newborn King, Jesus, the most expensive jewels, knowing that this King will save them from Herod (worthless life) and rule their hearts and shower them with his grace and blessing! These wise men went all over in order to find that missing link, the reason for that bright star, and you might have done the same! You might have fought all your life for a cause you believed in, and gave your riches to get there, in order to achieve what you always ambitioned for. And finally, you got there! Adrenaline rushed through your blood, giving you a sense of power, excitement and fulfillment. However hours later or perhaps days later everything went back to normal. End of story?! No, it’s a cycle! You will start growing hungry for that great feeling and seek more, but will never be satisfied!

I will give you the remedy, the secret ingredient to your everlasting Joy, it is surrendering all to the newborn King, Jesus! As simple as that. “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”-Proverbs 3:7. Be a wise man and give your everything to Jesus for His Joy does not only last minutes, days, or years but your whole life! The wise men were called wise for a reason and that is because they made a wise decision! they knew that Herod wanted that baby dead, so they did not return but listened to the angel. The angel might be standing next to you whispering to your ears to make a wise choice and follow Jesus, not the gold of this earth, for it will all decay and rust. Jesus offers  an everlasting treasure! When you experience Him, then you can REJOICE WITH EVERLASTING JOY!

Things to consider:

1. What have you accomplished in life so far?

2. How long did you feel that satisfaction?

3. What is holding you back from Jesus?

4. Are you a “wise” man? (Remember the verse from Proverbs 3:7)

” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

Where is Your Faith?

When faced with challenges in your life, what do you do? How do you react? Who do you seek guidance from? All these questions start rushing through my mind every time life throws obstacles my way. Personally, I tend to seek someone older than me, perhaps even more experienced in life and who has a successful career! However, is that right? Or in other words, is this what Jesus wants from you and me?

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”_ Luke 8:22-25.

Recently, one of my friends shared her story with me of how God saved her and her family before everything collapsed and was torn to shreds by devastation and misery! However, they have come to face another life obstacle, which is: trying to relocate to a place closer to her university. Nevertheless, her family has only 13 more days to empty their current apartment and start moving! They have been looking for so long yet no home was found! I felt wrecked because a minute ago she was sharing how God carried them to safety, yet here they are now, worried if they will find a house before the deadline.

Reading through the chapter of Luke I notice that the disciples faced a great danger, where a squall or storm came down on them and freaked them out! This is not the first time a storm shakes their faith and courage with an earthquake of doubt and fear of death! In “Luke 8:24” the disciples rushed to where Jesus was lying and woke Him up, saying: “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”. If I were in Jesus shoes I would have turned into an angry fire and burned them all because of their lack of faith! How many times has Jesus done miracles in front of them?! How many times did they call for aid and He came to their rescue?! Yet, they came for the tenth time, overwhelmed with fear and lack of faith- asking for Him to save them!

After the disciples woke Him up, He calmed the storm and then He asked them: “Where is your faith?”. How great is Jesus! How awesome is He! He never gave up on his disciples nor did He forsake them, even when they worried and doubted. Wow! I feel Jesus reminding me of that right now, especially that I am so forgetful of the fact that He saved me so many times from so many storms in life! If I were to record all the miracles that God has performed (and continues to perform) in my life, it would definitely take years to get through them all!

When was the last time Jesus calmed a storm in your life? I would like you to recall that moment where you were struggling and feeling so devastated, broken, lonely and perhaps like God forsook you. Jesus is here today and is asking you again and again: “Where is your faith?”. Where is your faith, my fellow brother or sister in Christ? Jesus has definitely reminded me of His love and mercy! He rescued me over and over again, but sometimes, I still lack faith and seek help from people who merely lack faith just like me. But, He wants to continue to rescue me every time I fall, because I am His and He loves me unconditionally! He wants to do that for you as well!

By the way, the disciples were amazed by how God calmed the waves and wind; do you feel amazed when Jesus rescues you from your own burdens and calms the waves and winds in your life?

Something to think about:

1. Are you currently facing a storm?
2. Has Jesus saved you before?
3. Do you want saving from anything?
4. Where is your faith? Who is your faith in?
5. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12.

 

What a Fight!

Have you ever had that feeling of wanting to wrestle with God? That desperate feeling that haunts you in your darkest hours when you are in need for an answer, or in fear of what your future holds from obstacles and gloomy weathers. Do you need anything from God today? Are you waiting upon the Lord for change?

 Jacob Wrestles With God

22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

What a fight! What a fight Jacob had with God! I do not know about you, but I am blown away each time I read this story. When I first read this story from the Bible, I did not understand what was going on and many questions started landing on my mind. Questions like, “is this for real? Can someone wrestle with God?”. I had to read this story a few times to grasp a portion of what this story holds from lessons and meanings to my life; and by lessons, I mean that there are literally tons of lessons to learn from Jacob’s wrestling with God!

If one reads the previous verses they would see that Jacob was preparing to meet his brother. He and his brother did not have that brotherly bond because of what Jacob did before to him. I will not go into that because it will take time to peruse the whole story and apply it to our lives today. On the other hand, my main focus today is on how Jacob wrestled with God all night and until daybreak! “Genesis 32:24”. If I were to fight with God like he did, I would definitely not last a second, haha! Come on!! How could I fight with God?! (One would think Jacob is that half man half god like the son of Zeus and that is why he was able to last all night.) The word of God wants to deliver something more profound, and that is: if you want a change in your life you have to fight for it!

Jacob knew what he wanted from God and he did not let Him go until He blessed him.”Genesis 32:26″. God has spoken to me through that passage today that I should never give up on my prayer requests. Many things I wish were different or at least been a little easier, but the fact that my life was not offered to me on a golden plate makes all the difference now. Now I see how God made every difficult situation for a purpose greater than my mind could ever comprehend.

If you are like me, wanting a change for a certain area in your life, I ask you to keep holding tight on to God! Keep fighting through prayer… God blessed Jacob after that long wrestle. He blessed him by renewing his faith and strengthening him to meet with his brother. God is able to renew your strength and bless you if you hold on tight!

Something to think about:

1. Do you want to change your situation?
2. Are there any fears and obstacles you want to overcome?
3. Do you believe that God wants to bless you?
4. Do you trust in His word?
5. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “Mathew 7:7” Joseph Toubia

Miracles Today

        Do miracles occur in the 21st century? It has been a question that’s been boggling my mind a lot lately. As a Christian, and by Christian I mean true follower of Jesus, I ask myself that question every time I come across Bible incidents where Jesus does a miracle and everyone is in awe and is greatly affected. I wonder: if people see miracles today, Would they be moved? Would they surrender to Jesus?

    Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

After reading this passage where Jesus does a miracle and allows Peter to walk on water, I wondered if I could have had the courage to step out of the boat in the first place! Peter had a strong personality and showed great courage to step out of the boat in obedience to walk on water. He was the only person to ask Jesus to tell him to come on the water! Moreover, when Jesus said, “come”,  Peter did not think twice about his moves and got out of the boat and into the water, and started walking towards Jesus. “Mathew 14:28-29”

But before I continue commenting on Peter,  (I could go on forever, especially that I feel that i’m the opposite of his character!), imagine yourself in that boat, in the stormy weather, waves so mighty that they try to sink that boat! What would you have done if you saw someone walking on water? If I were engaged in such a scene, i’m sure that I would probably have said, “that’s superman!” (Haha, I just love the Marvel movies and wish the characters were real). Moreover, if you are like the fishermen you would have said, “that’s a ghost!” What else could it have been! No man with magic powers could walk on water! They trick us into thinking they could move things with their minds and make them even float in thin air. However, none could walk on water and that’s because no human can.

Peter was now on water when suddenly, he started drowning! He probably came to his senses and thought: “What on earth am I doing in the middle of a storm, standing on water? I should head back to the boat before the waves crush me!” Now, that is only my imagination of what could have happened back then, but to be honest I do not know what went on in his head that lead to his drowning. The story continues by saying that Peter called out to Jesus and Jesus saved him.

I’m going to stop here for now, because again, my commentary could go on and on and on! But, I really want to state that if Jesus did miracles in the past, then He still can and does miracles today (and everyday), no? “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord, God, “Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8). He is always there, from the beginning of time till the end of the age. He shall remain. He did not change and surely will not change in the future! The God of yesterday is still working in our lives today and wants to make a miracle in your life! In fact, the greatest miracle of your entire life is that Jesus is able to save you today, and He is more than able to do a miracle in your life. The question is, have you taken that first step in giving Him your life? 

Something to think about:

1. Do you believe in Jesus?
2. Do you trust that He remains a God of miracles forever?
3. If yes, do you believe that He wants to make a miracle in your life today?
4. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never turn away.” John 6:37.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Joseph Toubia